Characene

Characene, (Χαρακηνή in Ancient greek) also known as Mesene (Μεσσήνη) and Meshan, was a kingdom within the Parthian Empire at the head of the Persian Gulf in southern Iraq. Characene's capital was Charax Spasinou (Χάραξ Σπασινού). The city was an important port in the trade from Mesopotamia to India and provided port facilities for the great city of Susa, further up the present day Karun River.

Location

The kingdom of Characene was primarily based in southern Iraq. Characene was alternatively known as Mesene and Meshan and the kingdom was part of the Sassanid Empire. At one point, Characene included Tylos, the present day country of Bahrain.

History

Characene was founded around 127 BC under Aspasine, known in Classical writings as Hyspaosines, formerly a satrap installed by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. Characene existed through the break-up of the Seleucid Empire and continued as an essentially independent kingdom under the Parthians, until it was conquered by the Sassanians in the beginning of the 3rd century AD.